Committee Report

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115th Congress } { Rept. 115-974
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { Part 1
======================================================================
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY VETERANS' HEALTH INITIATIVE ACT
_______
September 25, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on
the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Smith of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology, submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 6398]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom
was referred the bill (H.R. 6398) to authorize the Department
of Energy to conduct collaborative research with the Department
of Veterans Affairs in order to improve healthcare services for
veterans in the United States, and for other purposes, having
considered the same, report favorably thereon with an amendment
and recommend that the bill as amended do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Committee Statement and Views.................................... 3
Section-by-Section............................................... 7
Explanation of Amendments........................................ 8
Committee Consideration.......................................... 8
Correspondence................................................... 9
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch..................... 11
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the
Committee...................................................... 11
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............ 11
Duplication of Federal Programs.................................. 11
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings.............................. 11
Federal Advisory Committee Act................................... 11
Unfunded Mandate Statement....................................... 11
Earmark Identification........................................... 12
Committee Estimate............................................... 12
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate... 12
The amendment is as follows:
Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the
following:
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Energy Veterans' Health
Initiative Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the Department
of Energy.
(2) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory''
has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Energy
Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of
Energy.
SEC. 3. PURPOSES.
The purposes of this Act are to advance Department of Energy
expertise in artificial intelligence and high performance computing in
order to improve health outcomes for veteran populations by--
(1) supporting basic research through the application of
artificial intelligence, high performance computing, modeling
and simulation, machine learning, and large scale data
analytics to identify and solve outcome-defined challenges in
the health sciences;
(2) maximizing the impact of health and genomics data
provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as
other sources, on science, innovation, and health care outcomes
through the use and advancement of artificial intelligence and
high-performance computing capabilities of the Department of
Energy;
(3) promoting collaborative research through the
establishment of partnerships to improve data sharing between
Federal agencies, National Laboratories, institutions of higher
education, and nonprofit institutions;
(4) establishing multiple scientific computing user
facilities to house and provision available data to foster
transformational outcomes; and
(5) driving the development of technology to improve
artificial intelligence, high performance computing, and
networking relevant to mission applications of the Department
of Energy, including modeling, simulation, machine learning,
and advanced data analytics.
SEC. 4. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY VETERANS HEALTH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall establish and carry out a
research program in artificial intelligence and high performance
computing, focused on the development of tools to solve big data
challenges associated with veteran's healthcare, and to support the
efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs to identify potential
health risks and challenges utilizing data on long term healthcare,
health risks, and genomic data collected from veteran populations. The
Secretary shall carry out this program through a competitive, merit-
reviewed process, and consider applications from National Laboratories,
institutions of higher education, multi-institutional collaborations,
and other appropriate entities.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the program established
under subsection (a), the Secretary may--
(1) conduct basic research in modeling and simulation,
machine learning, large scale data analytics, and predictive
analysis in order to develop novel or optimized algorithms for
prediction of disease treatment and recovery;
(2) develop methods to accommodate large data sets with
variable quality and scale, and to provide insight and models
for complex systems;
(3) develop new approaches and maximize the use of algorithms
developed through artificial intelligence, machine learning,
data analytics, natural language processing, modeling and
simulation, and develop new algorithms suitable for high
performance computing systems and large biomedical data sets;
(4) advance existing and construct new data enclaves capable
of securely storing data sets provided by the Department of
Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, and other sources; and
(5) promote collaboration and data sharing between National
Laboratories, research entities, and user facilities of the
Department by providing the necessary access and secure data
transfer capabilities.
(c) Coordination.--In carrying out the program required under
subsection (a), the Secretary is authorized to--
(1) enter into a memorandum of understanding in order to
carry out a reimbursable agreement with the Department of
Veterans Affairs and other entities in order to maximize the
effectiveness of Department of Energy research and development
to improve veterans' healthcare; and
(2) consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other
Federal agencies as appropriate.
(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the
House of Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate, a
report detailing the effectiveness of--
(1) the interagency coordination between each Federal agency
involved in the research program carried out under this
section;
(2) collaborative research achievements of the program; and
(3) potential opportunities to expand the technical
capabilities of the Department.
(e) Funding.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall devote
$27,000,000 to carry out this section during fiscal years 2019 through
2023, subject to the availability of appropriations, to come from
amounts made available for medical and prosthetic research. This
section shall be carried out using funds otherwise appropriated by law
after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 5. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, DATA ANALYTICS, AND COMPUTATIONAL
RESEARCH PILOT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a pilot program to
develop tools for big data analytics by utilizing data sets generated
by Federal agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit
research organizations, and industry in order to advance artificial
intelligence technologies to solve complex, big data challenges. The
Secretary shall carry out this program through a competitive, merit-
reviewed process, and consider applications from National Laboratories,
institutions of higher education, multi-institutional collaborations,
and other appropriate entities.
(b) Program Components.--In carrying out the pilot program
established under subsection (a), the Secretary may--
(1) establish a cross-cutting research initiative to prevent
duplication and coordinate research efforts in artificial
intelligence and data analytics across the Department;
(2) conduct basic research in modeling and simulation,
artificial intelligence, machine learning, large scale data
analytics, natural language processing, and predictive analysis
in order to develop novel or optimized predictive algorithms
suitable for high performance computing systems and large
biomedical data sets;
(3) develop multivariate optimization models to accommodate
large data sets with variable quality and scale in order to
visualize complex systems;
(4) establish multiple scientific computing user facilities
to serve as data enclaves capable of securely storing data sets
created by Federal agencies, institutions of higher education,
nonprofit organizations, or industry at National Laboratories;
and
(5) promote collaboration and data sharing between National
Laboratories, research entities, and user facilities of the
Department by providing the necessary access and secure data
transfer capabilities.
(c) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives and the Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report evaluating the
effectiveness of the pilot program under subsection (a), including
basic research discoveries achieved in the course of the program and
potential opportunities to expand the technical capabilities of the
Department through the development of artificial intelligence and data
analytics technologies.
(d) Funding.--For purposes of carrying out this section, the
Secretary of Energy shall devote $52,000,000 to carry out this section,
which shall include $26,000,000 for each fiscal years 2019 and 2020,
subject to the availability of appropriations. This section shall be
carried out using funds otherwise appropriated by law after the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 6. SPENDING LIMITATION.
No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out
this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and this Act and such
amendments shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for
such purpose.
Committee Statement and Views
PURPOSE AND SUMMARY
H.R. 6398, the ``Department of Energy Veterans' Health
Initiative Act,'' was introduced by Science Subcommittee on
Environment Vice Chairman Ralph Norman. The purpose of H.R.
6398 is to authorize the Department of Energy (DOE, or the
Department) to conduct collaborative research with the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in order to solve complex,
big data challenges focused on veterans' health care and basic
science.
This bill also authorizes a two-year, cross-cutting
research pilot program to advance research in artificial
intelligence, data analytics, and computational research. This
pilot program will support DOE's efforts to improve the
analysis and interpretation of big data challenges in order to
meet the nuclear security, energy, and science mission goals of
the Department.
BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION
DOE funds basic research in high performance computing,
artificial intelligence, modeling and simulation, machine
learning, and large-scale data analytics across the DOE
national lab system. The Department also owns research
infrastructure, including the world's fastest supercomputers,
and can provide tools and technical expertise in support of
industry, academia, and other federal agencies' efforts to
solve complex technology challenges.
The VA healthcare system offers one example of a complex
data set that could benefit from support and analysis provided
through the DOE national lab system. Through its voluntary data
collection program entitled the Million Veteran Program (MVP),
the VA has collected detailed health information and genomic
data on over 600,000 veterans. MVP was established in order to
examine how genomic variation influences the progression of
disease and response to different treatments.
The VA, however, lacks the tools to effectively analyze
this complex data. In order to maximize the potential for
analysis, DOE and the VA have partnered together to plan a
joint research venture that will benefit both agencies. The
partnership combines the healthcare and genomic data generated
through MVP with DOE's world-leading high-performance computing
and data analytics capabilities.
The combined MVP CHAMPION (Million Veterans Program
Computational Health Analytics for Medical Precision to Improve
Outcomes Now) initiative will allow DOE and the VA to establish
a scientific computing environment that will not only house,
protect, and provide MVP data to researchers within the DOE
national lab system, but also facilitate the development of big
data analytical tools to foster transformational science across
the DOE mission. Through the development and application of
complex computer models that detect patterns in the VA's data,
DOE will be able to identify potential causes and warning signs
of various diseases. This analysis could lead to information
that could potentially transform the healthcare the VA offers
to veterans, particularly through early diagnoses or developing
more effective treatment mechanisms.
Further, the MVP will provide enhanced health data through
the collection of genetic, lifestyle, military exposure, and
health information about veterans that can be used to
understand how genes and environment affect health and illness.
This program will also benefit DOE basic research needs by
providing a large data set from which to develop computing
tools, technologies, and techniques that can be applied to
DOE's core mission research. In order to further the
capabilities achieved through the partnership with the VA, DOE
has also established a stand-alone artificial intelligence and
big data initiative to explore broader applications of these
computing techniques within the DOE core mission.
H.R. 6398 is designed to act on the assessments of the DOE,
the VA and the scientific community. Based on the
recommendations provided in the April 2017 report, ``VA-DOE
Joint Workshop for MVP-CHAMPION,'' this legislation directs DOE
to conduct collaborative research with the VA by establishing a
formal program to leverage the Department's expertise in high
performance computing in order to analyze VA-provided health
and genomics data. The bill provides DOE the authority to
conduct basic research to develop algorithms and optimization
models suited to analyzing large biomedical data sets, and to
establish data enclaves to securely store and transmit data
provided by the VA.
H.R. 6398 also establishes a pilot program within DOE to
implement a cross-cutting research initiative in artificial
intelligence, data analytics, and computational research. This
pilot program will support DOE's efforts to improve the
analysis and interpretation of big data challenges in order to
meet the nuclear security, energy, and science mission goals of
the Department. The bill provides the Secretary the authority
to establish user facilities that can serve as secure data
enclaves, in order to accommodate and analyze large data sets
and visualize complex systems.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
On January 30, 2018, the Committee held a hearing titled,
``Department of Energy: Management and Priorities.'' Witnesses
were: The Honorable Paul Dabbar, Under Secretary for Science,
U.S. Department of Energy; and the Honorable Mark Menezes,
Under Secretary of Energy, U.S. Department of Energy.
On March 14, 2018, the Committee held a hearing titled,
``National Laboratories: World-Leading Innovation in Science.''
Witnesses were: Dr. Mark Peters, Director, Idaho National
Laboratory; Dr. Susan Seestrom, Advanced Science and Technology
Associate Laboratory Director and Chief Research Officer,
Sandia National Laboratory; Dr. Mary E. Maxon, Associate
Laboratory Director for Biosciences, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory; Dr. Chi-Chang Kao, Director, Stanford Linear
Accelerator Center, National Accelerator Laboratory; and Dr.
Paul Kearns, Director, Argonne National Laboratory.
On May 9, 2018, the Committee held a hearing titled, ``An
Overview of the Budget Proposal for the Department of Energy
for Fiscal Year 2019.'' The witness was the Honorable Rick
Perry, Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy.
On May 22, 2018, the Research and Technology Subcommittee
and the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing titled, ``Empowering
U.S. Veterans Through Technology.'' Witnesses were: Dr. Dimitri
Kusnezov, Chief Scientist, National Nuclear Security
Administration, U.S. Department of Energy; Mr. Christopher
Meek, Founder and Chairman, SoldierStrong; Ms. Martha
MacCallum, Advisory Board Member, SoldierStrong; Mr. John
Wordin, President and Founder, Project Hero; and Dr. Matthew J.
Major, Research Health Scientist and Assistant Professor of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University.
On June 26, 2018, the Research and Technology Subcommittee
and the Energy Subcommittee held a hearing titled, ``Artificial
Intelligence--With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.''
Witnesses were: Dr. Jaime Carbonell, Director, Language
Technologies Institute, and Allen Newell Professor, School of
Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University; Dr. Tim Persons,
Chief Scientist, U.S. Government Accountability Office; Mr.
Greg Brockman, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, OpenAI;
and Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Chairperson of the Board and Co-Founder,
AI4ALL.
On July 12, 2018, the Energy Subcommittee and the Research
and Technology Subcommittee held a hearing titled, ``Big Data
Challenges and Advanced Computing Solutions.'' Witnesses were:
Dr. Bobby Kasthuri, Researcher, Argonne National Laboratory and
Assistant Professor at The University of Chicago; Dr. Katherine
Yelick, Associate Laboratory Director for Computing Sciences,
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Professor at The
University of California, Berkeley; Dr. Matthew Nielsen,
Principal Scientist, Industrial Outcomes Optimization, GE
Global Research; and Dr. Anthony Rollett, U.S. Steel Professor
of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon
University.
On July 17, 2018, Representative Ralph Norman introduced
H.R. 6398, which was referred primarily to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology.
On July 18, 2018, the Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology approved and ordered reported H.R. 6398, the
``Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act,'' as
amended, by voice vote.
COMMITTEE VIEWS
Department of Energy Veterans' Health Research Initiative
The Committee recognizes that high performance computing
(HPC) modeling supports nearly every area of technological
advancement and encourages DOE to develop next generation
computing facilities through its Advanced Scientific Computing
Research (ASCR) program within the DOE Office of Science. In
addition to world class supercomputing user facilities, the
Department hosts a number of strategic computational
partnerships like the Scientific Discovery through Advanced
Computing (SciDAC) program, the Energy Sciences Network
(ESnet), and the National Energy Research Scientific Computing
Center (NERSC). With these capabilities, DOE has a specific
research capability and mission need to address big data
challenges, and is also uniquely positioned to advance
artificial intelligence and machine learning-based approaches
to solving these challenges.
The Committee calls for the use of the Department's unique
computing capabilities and infrastructure to support
comprehensive research in data analytics related to veterans'
healthcare and services. The Committee finds that further
collaboration between DOE and VA can provide significant
benefits to both parties, particularly in addressing the needs
of U.S. veteran populations and improving the already robust
computing capabilities of the Department.
Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, and Computational Research
Pilot Program
The Committee finds that DOE should continue its efforts in
computer science and supporting research fields to address
other big data challenges, and accordingly authorizes a pilot
program to implement a DOE cross-cutting research initiative in
artificial intelligence, data analytics, and computational
research. The Committee recommends that the Department continue
to expand its core capabilities in these areas, and apply
computing techniques developed through its partnership with the
VA to other significant big data challenges.
Due to the broad applications possible in basic science
research, applied energy research, and within the nuclear
stockpile stewardship mission at DOE, the Committee recommends
funding for this pilot program be provided equally from the
Office of Science and the National Nuclear Security
Administration (NNSA). In the delivery of the report required
in Section 5 of this legislation, the Committee recommends that
the Department provide recommendations on ways to expand this
pilot program, including potential federal agencies who could
benefit from the application of similar data-driven computing
techniques.
Section-by-Section
Sec. 1. Short title
This section establishes the short title for the bill as
the ``Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act.''
Sec. 2. Definitions
This section defines the terms ``Department,'' ``National
Laboratory,'' and ``Secretary.''
Sec. 3. Purposes
This section establishes that the purpose of the Act is to
use DOE expertise in artificial intelligence and high
performance computing to improve health outcomes for veterans
and maximize the impact of VA health and genomics data by
supporting basic research in artificial intelligence, high
performance computing, modeling and simulation, machine
learning, and large scale data analytics to identify and solve
outcome-defined challenges in health sciences. This section
also promotes collaboration through data sharing between
federal agencies, national laboratories, institutions of higher
learning, and nonprofit institutions, and encourages the
establishment of scientific computing user facilities to house,
protect, and provide available data.
Section 4. Department of Energy veterans health research and
development
This section statutorily establishes a comprehensive
research program in artificial intelligence and high-
performance computing to develop tools to solve big data
challenges associated with veterans' healthcare through a
partnership between DOE and the VA. This section also
authorizes key areas of research, including the development of
novel or optimized predictive algorithms, models to accommodate
large data sets with complex biomedical data, and secure data
transfer capabilities. It also authorizes the construction and
improvement of data enclaves for secure data storage.
This section authorizes the DOE Secretary to enter into a
memorandum of understanding with the VA and other entities to
maximize research and development to improve veterans'
healthcare. The Secretary is also required to submit a report
evaluating the effectiveness of the interagency coordination
between each agency involved, the research achievements, and
the potential opportunities to expand the technical
capabilities of the Department to relevant congressional
committees no later than two years after the date of enactment.
This section authorizes the VA to provide a total of
$27,000,000 to be used to carry out this section during fiscal
years 2019 through 2023.
Sec. 5. Artificial intelligence, data analytics, and computational
research pilot program
This section establishes a DOE pilot program to advance
artificial intelligence technologies to solve complex, big data
challenges by utilizing data sets generated by Federal
agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit research
organizations, and industry.
This section authorizes the DOE Secretary to establish a
cross-cutting research program to coordinate research efforts
across the Department, including the development of novel or
optimized predictive algorithms, models to accommodate large
data sets, and secure data transfer and storage capabilities.
The Secretary is also required to submit a report evaluating
the effectiveness of the pilot program, the research
achievements, and the potential opportunities to expand the
technical capabilities of the Department to the relevant
congressional committees no later than two years after the date
of enactment.
This section authorizes the Department of Energy to provide
a total of $52,000,000 to carry out the activities in this
section, with $26,000,000 authorized for each of fiscal years
2019 and 2020.
Sec. 6. Spending limitation
This section states that no additional funds are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out this Act and the amendments
made by this Act, and requires that this Act and such
amendments be carried out using amounts otherwise available for
such purpose.
Explanation of Amendments
A manager's amendment offered by Representative Neal Dunn
was adopted by the Committee. The amendment made technical
changes to the bill.
Committee Consideration
On July 18, 2018, the Committee met in open session and
ordered reported favorably the bill, H.R. 6398, as amended, by
voice vote, a quorum being present.
Application of Law to the Legislative Branch
Section 102(b)(3) of Public Law 104-1 requires a
description of the application of this bill to the legislative
branch where the bill relates to the terms and conditions of
employment or access to public services and accommodations.
This bill establishes a collaborative research program between
DOE and the VA in order to solve complex, big data challenges
focused on veterans' health care and basic science. As such
this bill does not relate to employment or access to public
services and accommodations.
Statement of Oversight Findings and Recommendations of the Committee
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause
(2)(b)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee's oversight findings and
recommendations are reflected in the descriptive portions of
this report.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
H.R. 6398 establishes a collaborative research program
between DOE and the VA in order to solve complex, big data
challenges focused on veterans' health care and basic science.
This bill also authorizes a two-year, cross-cutting research
pilot program to advance research in artificial intelligence,
data analytics, and computational research at DOE.
Duplication of Federal Programs
No provision of H.R. 6398 establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings
The Committee estimates that enacting H.R. 6398 does not
direct the completion of any specific rule makings within the
meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551.
Federal Advisory Committee Act
The Committee finds that the legislation does not establish
or authorize the establishment of an advisory committee within
the definition of 5 U.S.C. App., Section 5(b).
Unfunded Mandate Statement
Section 423 of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment
Control Act (as amended by Section 101(a)(2) of the Unfunded
Mandate Reform Act, P.L. 104-4) requires a statement as to
whether the provisions of the reported include unfunded
mandates. In compliance with this requirement the Committee has
received a letter from the Congressional Budget Office included
herein.
Earmark Identification
H.R. 6398 does not include any congressional earmarks,
limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in
clause 9 of rule XXI.
Committee Estimate
Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the
Committee of the costs that would be incurred in carrying out
H.R. 6398. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) of that rule provides
that this requirement does not apply when the Committee has
included in its report a timely submitted cost estimate of the
bill prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act.
Budget Authority and Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(2) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and with respect
to requirements of clause (3)(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee has received
the following cost estimate for H.R. 6398 from the Director of
Congressional Budget Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, July 25, 2018.
Hon. Lamar Smith,
Chairman, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 6398, the
Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Janani
Shankaran.
Sincerely,
Keith Hall,
Director.
Enclosure.
H,R, 6398--Department of Energy Veterans' Health Initiative Act
Summary: H.R. 6398 would require $79 million in
appropriated funds to be used by the Department of Energy (DOE)
to carry out a pilot program on big data analytics and for the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and DOE to conduct
collaborative research on veterans' healthcare issues. CBO
estimates implementing H.R. 6398 would cost $76 million over
the 2019-2023 period, assuming the availability of those
appropriated amounts.
Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or
revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 6398 would not increase
net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
H.R. 6398 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary effect of H.R. 6398 is shown in the following table.
The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 250
(general science, space, and technology) and 700 (veterans
benefits and services).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
----------------------------------------------------------
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019-2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Department of Energy:
Estimated Authorization Level.................... 0 26 26 0 0 0 52
Estimated Outlays................................ 0 14 22 12 4 0 52
Department of Veterans Affairs:
Estimated Authorization Level.................... 0 6 6 5 5 5 27
Estimated Outlays................................ 0 4 5 5 5 5 24
Total:
Estimated Authorization Level................ 0 32 32 5 5 5 79
Estimated Outlays............................ 0 18 27 17 9 5 76
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes the
legislation will be enacted near the end of 2018 and that the
necessary amounts will be available each year as specified.
Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for
the affected activities.
Section 6 of the bill states that no additional funds are
authorized to be appropriated by H.R. 6398. In CBO's view,
however, when a law imposes a new requirement on an agency
(such as preparing a plan or completing a study), complying
with that new requirement would entail the use of resources,
and the cost of carrying out that requirement would be the
amount of resources used. Because the requirements in this bill
would apply to future fiscal years, for which appropriations
have not yet been determined--they could, in fact, influence
the amount of budget authority available to the agency in the
future. Even if future funding was not affected, the agency
would have to spend appropriated resources on that new activity
instead of spending them to carry out other responsibilities.
Department of Energy
Section 5 would authorize appropriations of $52 million to
be used over the 2019-2020 period for DOE to carry out a pilot
program to advance the use of artificial intelligence for big
data analytics. H.R. 6398 also would direct DOE to submit a
report to the Congress evaluating the effectiveness of that
pilot program. CBO estimates that implementing section 5 would
cost $52 million over the 2019-2023 period.
Department of Veterans Affairs
Section 4 would authorize appropriations of $27 million to
be used by VA and DOE to implement a collaborative research
program to analyze large-scale health and genomic data over the
2019-2023 period. The bill does not specify the amount for each
year, so CBO assumes that between $5 million to $6 million
would be used each year. In 2017, VA initiated plans to partner
with DOE to use the high-performance computing capabilities at
DOE's national laboratories to identify health trends using
genomic data from more than 600,000 veteran volunteers. VA
spent $6 million in 2017 for such efforts.
Under the bill, VA would reimburse DOE for research
expenses associated with the program. The bill also would
require DOE to submit a report to the Congress on those
collaborative efforts. CBO estimates that implementing section
4 would cost $24 million over the 2019-2023 period.
Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO
estimates that enacting H.R. 6398 would not increase net direct
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive
10-year periods beginning in 2029.
Mandates: H.R. 6398 contains no intergovernmental or
private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Janani Shankaran
(Department of Energy), Ann Futrell (Department of Veterans
Affairs); Mandates: Jon Sperl.
Estimate reviewed by: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; Sarah Jennings, Chief,
Defense, International Affairs & Veterans Affairs Cost
Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Assistant Director
for Budget Analysis.
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